The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

I t seems to me that small towns often have a tradition of grabbing hold of a specific holiday and hugging tightly to squeeze all they can from it. I grew up in Condon, Ore. where the 4th of July was the holiday of choice. The Fourth was spent watching the town parade, playing games in the park, attending the rodeo and then dancing the night away at the fairgrounds. It was, as they say, "a big deal".

Those familiar with Touchet's traditions are aware that May Day is their "big deal," complete with a May Queen and children dancing around the maypole. In our neck of the woods it appears that Christmas is the holiday of choice. And, whether you'd prefer to ignore the fact or not, there are only six Saturday's left before December 25th.

Not that it matters. We certainly don't wait until then to start celebrating! In fact, we don't even wait until December. Dayton starts the festivities with a Christmas Kickoff the day after Thanksgiving.

On both Friday and Saturday, revelers can enjoy mule drawn hayrides or walk Main Street to enjoy open houses provided by many businesses. Children can "Make & Take" crafts in the basement of the Delaney building or have a picture taken with Santa at Santa's Workshop (164 E. Main). Families can experience a Victorian Christmas at the Bold- man house with live music and free nose flutes, visit the live nativity scene behind Dingle's, and check out the historic Smith Hollow School (First & Commercial).

The annual fireworks show takes place at 7 p.m. on Friday night. A tour of lighted homes follows the fireworks on Fri- day night and runs again on Saturday night at 7 p.m. A lighted parade takes place at 6 p.m. on Saturday night.

Christmas Kickoff is the perfect time to get start checking boxes on your holiday gift list as well. Local vendors and art- ists come together to provide a unique assortment of special and handcrafted treasures. You can shop at the Christmas Market at the Depot or Craft Bazaar as well as the many Main Street shops that will remain open later during the weekend.

If you're looking to experience the "finer side of life" with art and wine, look no further. The Wenaha Gallery will be holding an artist's reception with Andrea Lyman and Gordy Edberg from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday. The Weinhard Hotel Gallery will feature local artists and live music will be pro- vided in the hotel lobby. Local art, photography and pottery will be on display at the Village Shoppes as well. Mace Mead Works & Mortal Vintners and Dumas Stations will both be offering wine tastings on Friday and Saturday.

And, if for some reason you can't make Dayton's Christmas Kickoff, don't dismay. Waitsburg's Hometown Christmas is the following weekend, complete with a lighted parade, Santa visits, shopping at Town Hall, free movies and live music. Merry (almost) Christmas!